Ascension [1]

The grand palace doors swung open, welcoming the invited nobles who had assembled to witness another significant chapter in the history of the four pillar families.

The center figures of the events have yet to arrive. 

Nevertheless, the absence of the central figures didn't deter the attendees from engaging in hushed conversations and speculations. They pondered the implications of Duke Viltaria and Marquis Shradinza's simultaneous exile on the day of their son's momentous ascension. 

The intrigue surrounding the event was palpable.

"I can't believe Young Master Eugene is also born to a man."

"It's scandalous! Noble women are being overlooked!"

Cadmus and Brittany's expressions darkened upon hearing those words. As they had just arrived, they were greeted by countless inquisitive gazes. Brittany was annoyed, while Cadmus was infuriated by the fact that the Duke's household would now have such a scandalous history associated with it, destined to be passed down to future generations.

Brittany elegantly opened her fan and discreetly covered her mouth, her narrowed eyes casting icy glares at the nobles who had been gossiping. Her gaze served as a silent warning, offering them an opportunity to reconsider their words and close their mouths before they incurred her wrath. The sudden intervention by Brittany caused the nobles who had been engaged in conversation to promptly clamp their mouths shut, resulting in an uncomfortable and stifling silence that hung in the air.

Brittany broke the silence with a firm but refined voice, stating, "How terribly impolite it is to discuss the Duke's household in such a disrespectful manner." 

Her words carried a hint of reproach, underscoring the impropriety of their gossip.

Cadmus cast a stern side-glance, his eyes shooting a withering glare towards those who had been gossiping. His disapproval was evident in his expression, serving as a silent warning against further indiscreet talk.

The nobles, well aware of the immense influence of the Del Viltaria family, dared not risk offending them further. With reluctance, they could only grit their teeth, lower their heads, and bear the weight of their shame, their hushed conversations now turned inward.

Brittany held a deep resentment for her father. Her hatred extended to the Marquis as well, understanding the anguish her mother experienced each night as she wept in her sleep, burdened by a guilt that should never have been hers to bear. 

This suffering was inflicted upon her mother by her own father, the Duke, who ceaselessly accused her of usurping the Marquis's position to become the sole Duchess.

Brittany: "Why haven't Brother and Mother arrived yet?" 

Cadmus guides her sister to a place with fewer people.

"Brother and Mother arrived to pay their respects to the emperor. It's likely that there's something the emperor wishes to discuss with them before they proceed to the ceremony."

Brittany just hummed and looked around.

Soon, the arrival of the Shradinza family drew the immediate attention of the assembled nobles, causing them to turn their heads toward the newcomers.

Eunice made her entrance, her arm linked with her brother's. She adorned a radiant smile and was resplendent in her yellow dress, radiating a bright and cheerful presence. Brittany, upon catching sight of her step-sister, narrowed her eyes slightly and cast her gaze downward. She couldn't help but wonder how Eunice managed to maintain such a radiant smile despite the turmoil within their family.

Cadmus notices her little sister's low mood and immediately realizes something.

He glances at Euric and Eunice with cold eyes and sneers.

Euric scanned the room with his gaze and noted that his younger brother had yet to appear. Eunice, in the meantime, was drawn into conversation with a group of noble ladies, leaving Euric alone to engage in conversation with a cluster of older gentlemen.

On the other side, Eugene and Kaizer sat beside each other in the carriage.

"Today, do you intend to meet with the Marquis and the Duke?" 

Eugene remained silent.

Kaizer gently grasped Eugene's hand and proposed, "Should you prefer not to encounter them, I will promptly escort you away following the ceremony, and we can commemorate the occasion in the grand dukedom."

Eugene cast a vacant gaze at the hand Kaizer had been clasping and responded, "It makes no difference."

Eugene's determination to break free from his past shackles grew unshakable.

Why should he glance back at those individuals who had inflicted such misery upon his existence? If it weren't for his ill-fated birth, he wouldn't have endured countless lifetimes of suffering. The inequity and inhumane treatment he had endured were beyond endurance. Consequently, even if they were to express remorse and offer apologies now, Eugene would never grant forgiveness to those who had once regarded him as inconsequential.

"Kaizer..."

Eugene pinches his lover's hand as his eyes darken.

"If one day you repeat your mistakes, just like how I discard those people, I will also walk away and not bother to look back, no matter how much you beg."

Kaizer was suddenly gripped by a chilling sensation upon hearing Eugene's stern declaration.

Having caused his beloved so much pain repeatedly, the weight of Eugene's words now bore heavily upon him. They signified that this lifetime was the final opportunity for him to contemplate all his actions.

If he failed...then Eugene will be forever gone in his life.

Kaizer grappled with a growing sense of madness, his fear of Eugene's potential disappearance consuming him. A torrent of dark thoughts inundated his mind relentlessly. Yet, Eugene's words acted as a restraining force, keeping Kaizer from spiraling out of control.

Eugene knew that Kaizer would never change.

So he could only point a sharp object at his lover's neck.

Eugene couldn't bear to release Kaizer either. Even if their paths lead to a deadly clash, Eugene won't let Kaizer escape death from his hands. Because if there is someone in this world who could touch his man, then that's only him, and no one else. Only he can kill Kaizer and end his lover's existence.

"Eugene..."

"Kaizer, not every day, a light can exist in the dark. Our existence might be a god but the heavens would never acknowledge us. Our ending, it's either both of us die, or only one will remain."

A heavy silence enveloped the carriage.

Kaizer rested his head on Eugene's neck and hummed.

"Then, I would prefer to see you live, granting you one final existence—a life where you obtain all that has been denied to you. A life that will compensate for the dearth of your desires."

Kaizer can do it, take his lover's sin as his own, and release Eugene from the original curse.

All of that, in exchange for his own.

Eugene patted Kaizer's head, and a mix of emotions stormed into his eyes. He looks outside and sees that they're near the palace. Kaizer refuses to let go and Eugene lets him cling.

Somehow, he can't help but wonder.

What does it take to love someone?

Did he love Kaizer? Did Kaizer love him? He doesn't know. He can't be too sure that the emotions they're feeling are just an illusion of thousands of years of companionship. 

Yunsel Palace

The palace gate stood wide open, allowing a steady stream of carriages to enter and exit the premises. The grandeur of the occasion was evident in the bustling activity surrounding the palace.

Eugene and Kaizer exited the carriage.

Seeing the grand duke and the grand duchess sticking together, Euegen's lips twitched as he felt Kaizer's hand wrapping around his waist.

"Don't leave my side later, if some men talk to you, ignore them."

Eugene didn't bother to respond.

Grand Duke Karsten, who would soon be retiring from his position, approached his son and Eugene with a cheerful demeanor. He instructed them to make their way inside, as the commencement of the ceremony was imminent. This reminder prompted Eugene to realize that they had come perilously close to arriving late.

Keerto: "Where is Khalil?"

Grand Duke Karsten's eyes softened as he looked at his wife and said, "He already went inside, he said he'll meet a friend so I let him."

Keerto's face turns red as Katnier holds his cheek and drops a kiss on his forehead.

"Honey, don't worry about too much."

Eugene retracted his gaze and started to walk forward with Kaizer tailing behind him, telling him to slow down using a soft low voice. 

Upon reaching the entrance, the guards stood at attention, offering a respectful bow as they announced the arrival of the guests. The massive double doors, adorned with gold, swung open, drawing the attention of all those who had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of these distinguished individuals. All eyes in the room turned toward them.

"It's the Karsten."

"The second Shradinza also."

"The grand duke really wants to take a man as his son's future grand duchess?!"

"My goodness. Why is this happening? Women are mourning!"

Who wouldn't dream of marrying Kaizer Karsten, the adored son of the Grand Duke, who was now set to officially assume the role of leadership from his father? Women aspired to lofty heights, and they all harbored aspirations of this kind. However, the knowledge that Eugene Shradinza had effortlessly assumed a prestigious position left many feeling dissatisfied and envious.

A woman standing to the side elegantly unfurled her fan, obscuring half of her face as she cast a derisive sneer in Eugene's direction. She remarked with a hint of disdain, "A man? Can he provide the Karsten family with an heir?"

Eugene's steps came to an abrupt halt, and he shot a piercingly cold glare at the woman who had spoken.

Kaizer couldn't help but overhear the woman's disparaging remark, but he chose to remain aloof, eager to observe how his beloved would respond to such disdainful comments. As he witnessed Eugene's abrupt pause and the icy glint in his eyes as he turned to regard the woman, Kaizer couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness and excitement.

A hushed stillness descended upon the hall as Eugene steadily advanced toward the woman who had dared to utter contemptuous words. His deliberate approach was accompanied by a tense and anticipatory silence that seemed to fill every corner of the room.

"You know who I am right?"

"Y-You" the woman step back a little.

"Don't worry. I'm just here to tell you that..." Eugene leaned and whispered, "The man you're adoring is just someone who would kneel and beg for me not to leave him."

The woman widened her eyes, she froze dumbfoundedly, her mouth open and closed, not knowing how to react to such words. This made the people around curious about what Eugene had said to make the woman look so embarrassed.

Eugene was satisfied and his lips upturned.

Kaizer looked at his lover curiously and asked what he said as they continued walking forward.

"Brother!"

Both paused when they heard a familiar voice and Eugene instinctively opened his arms to catch his little sister, who had flung herself toward him. Even Kaizer was taken aback by the sudden gesture, providing support to Eugene as he held his sister.

Kaizer chided Eunice with a somewhat dissatisfied tone, cautioning her, "Lady, you really shouldn't do that."

However, Eunice raised her head, grinning playfully at Kaizer, and repeated her greeting, "Brother-in-law, hello, you're looking quite handsome today as well." Her demeanor was light-hearted and teasing, diffusing the tension in the room.

Kaizer gave a reassuring pat on Eunice's head and gently guided her to stand on her own. He then leaned down, speaking to her with a soft seriousness. "Your brother and I will be getting married soon, so it's best if you avoid doing that."

Eunice tilted her head, curious. "Why, Brother-in-law?"

Kaizer whispered earnestly, "Because I don't like it when others touch him too much."

Eunice quickly covered her mouth to suppress a giggle and nodded in understanding. She whispered back conspiratorially, "Don't worry, Brother-in-law, I'll make sure no one tries to steal Brother from you." Her words were filled with a playful and protective spirit.

Eugene is talking with his brother Euric, he just saw Kaizer and Eunice whispering to each other but didn't bother much about what they're talking about.

Especially when Britanny and Cadmus suddenly approach them.

Eugene nodded at Cadmus as a greeting and asked, "Where is Casimin?"

Cadmus, just like Eugene also wears an expressionless face and just replies vaguely, "He was called by the emperor."

Eugene and Cadmus stare at each other.

Britanny who was standing behind stepped forward and said to Eugene, "We meet again..."

This time, it was not as a stranger, but as a "...brother."

Eugene's pupils dilated, he didn't expect Britanny to call him brother.

Cadmus also turns around and looks at Britanny in confusion.